3 Henrico elementary schools receive grants for agriculture programs

Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom recently awarded more than $36,000 in grants to 75 Virginia schools and educational programs, including three Henrico elementary schools and the Henrico Cooperative Extension 4-H youth program.

Virginia AITC, an educational program that aims to connect students with agriculture, allocated grants for the 2023-2024 school year so schools can provide students with agricultural opportunities related to gardening, animals, nutrition, and STEM integration.

“The grants will be allocated to provide 30,000 youth in urban and rural areas with unique agricultural experiences,” according to a Virginia AITC Nov. 10 press release. “These grants and the projects they support also help youth gain a better understanding of food production and career opportunities in the agriculture field.”

Virginia AITC selected Henry D. Ward Elementary, Highland Springs Elementary, R.C. Longan Elementary, and Henrico Cooperative Extension 4-H to receive grants for this school year. Educators had to apply for the grant by Oct. 13 and could receive up to $500 for projects.

This year, gardening will be the focus of many Virginia AITC grant projects, according to Virginia AITC executive director Tammy Maxey.

“Learning about the environment and academics through gardening is a theme for several grant projects this year – ranging from indoor and outdoor gardens to aquaponics and hydroponics,” Maxey said. “These grant projects also create community engagement and career awareness throughout the grade levels.”

Below is a full list of the 52 localities and their schools/educational programs that will receive grants:

Amelia County: Amelia Academy and Amelia County High School
Augusta County: Valley Academy Alternative School and Valley Career and Technical Center
Bedford County: Huddleston Elementary School
Bristol: Virginia High School
Buchanan County: Buchanan Elementary School
Caroline County: Lewis and Clark Elementary School
Carroll County: Carroll Cooperative Extension 4-H
Chesapeake: Grassfield High School
Chesterfield County: Evergreen Elementary School
Clarke County: Johnson-Williams Middle School
Fairfax County: Aldrin Elementary School, Marshall Road Elementary School, Oakton Elementary School, and Westfield High School
Fauquier County: Kettle Run High School
Fluvanna County: Oakland School
Franklin County: Franklin County High School
Frederick County: Armel Elementary School
Galax: Galax Elementary School
Gloucester County: Achilles Elementary School
Goochland County: Byrd Elementary School
Halifax County: Clays Mill Elementary School and Halifax County High School
Hampton: Jane H. Bryan Elementary School and Jones Middle School
Harrisonburg: Harrisonburg City Public Schools
Henrico County: Henry D. Ward Elementary, Highland Springs Elementary, R.C. Longan Elementary, and Henrico Cooperative Extension 4-H
Henry County: Bassett High School and Henry County Career Academy
Lancaster County: Lancaster Cooperative Extension 4-H
Lee County: Lee County Career & Technical Center
Loudoun County: Heritage High School, Lovettsville Elementary School, and Stone Hill Middle School
Louisa County: Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Manassas Park: Manassas Park Middle School
Mecklenburg County: Rivermont School
Middlesex County: Middlesex Elementary School
New Kent County: George Watkins Elementary School
Newport News: Heritage High School and Stoney Run Elementary School
Norfolk: Norview Middle School
Page County: Shenandoah Elementary School
Petersburg: Cool Spring Elementary School
Prince George County: L.L. Beazley Elementary School
Pulaski County: Pulaski Cooperative Extension 4-H
Richmond: Huguenot High School
Rockingham County: Blue Ridge Christian School, Lacey Springs Elementary School, and Montevideo Middle School
Russell County: Honaker Elementary School
Shenandoah County: Mountain View High School and Signal Knob Middle School
Southampton County: Southampton Academy and Southampton Middle School
Spotsylvania County: Post Oak Middle School
Stafford County: T. Benton Gayle Middle School
Staunton: Shelburne Middle School
Suffolk: Elephant’s Fork Elementary School
Surry County: Luther Porter Middle School
Tazewell County: Tazewell Cooperative Extension 4-H
Virginia Beach: Brookwood Elementary School, Corporate Landing Middle School, Holistic Life Schools, New Castle Elementary School, Salem Elementary School, and St. John the Apostle Catholic School
Washington County: Greendale Elementary School
Williamsburg: D.J. Montague Elementary School
Wythe County: Max Meadows Elementary School